The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square celebrated its 5,000th episode of the long-running ‘Music & the Spoken Word’ program, marking a historic milestone nearly 100 years after its debut. The broadcast, which began on July 15, 1929, just months before the start of the Great Depression, has endured through major historical events, including the pandemic, and continues to reach over 6 million weekly listeners.
The LDS Church reported that the program was performed at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where over 11,500 people attended the event. The choir’s volunteer Heidi Swinton emphasized that the program has weathered multiple calamities over the years, including the Great Depression and the pandemic, serving as a resilient source of comfort and unity.
Swinton noted that the program’s longevity has earned it the title ‘America’s Choir,’ a designation that President Ronald Reagan once used. She explained that the show’s ability to herald both the good and the hard times has made it a symbol of perseverance and collective strength. The LDS Church statement highlighted the program’s ‘unprecedented achievement,’ underscoring its enduring legacy and global impact.
Church President Russell M. Nelson, who was born in 1924, recalled listening to the early broadcasts from his childhood and described the program as an integral part of his life. Nelson emphasized the unique power of music to connect with the heart and soul in a way that words cannot duplicate, further highlighting the program’s cultural significance.